Woodworm Treatment

It is suggested in various published literature that 75% of all houses suffer from some form of insect infestation.
The most common form of damage to timber in Scotland is by Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium Punctatum).
The Common Furniture Beetle lives in a three-year cycle. For the first six to eight weeks it is in an egg form, emerging as larvae which then go on to feed on the timber for the next two to three years. Eventually the larvae pupates and changes to an adult beetle which then eats its way to the surface to fly off and find a mate, before the whole process starts again.
As with most insects the emergence of these adult beetles takes place at ‘specific times’ of the year called the ‘flight season’. This is typically April to October and these months are the ideal time for treatment.
Woodworm is treated by spraying the timbers with a water-based insecticide. This coats the surface of the timbers and produces a layer of residual fluid which will remain in place to ensure that any woodworm eating their way out of the timber will become sterile and therefore unable to breed.

What is the effectiveness of such treatments?

A common question which is asked is ‘if my woodworm has been treated, why are new holes still appearing two years after treatment?’.
This is known as Post- Emergence. As the woodworm works within a three-year cycle, it takes up to three years for all the larvae to change into beetles and try to emerge.
Until all the larvae at the time of treatment have changed into beetles, each year a few will eat their way to the surface and become sterile.
Eventually after the 3-year cycle the timber will be free from infestation.